The headline says it all. The city had planned to fill anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 potholes, but the 50 work crews that took to the streets last weekend exceeded expectations. Good news for people who use the streets of L.A.

A new 919-unit transit oriented development proposed for the USC area is being dubbed as the first such development in South L.A. and is drawing controversy as supporters and critics offer feedback on the project. On one hand the project will bring high-quality rentals, retail choices and jobs to an area that proponents say is lacking such things. On the other hand, the site is currently zoned for medical and educational uses, something detractors say the community needs more than apartments.

Here’s a look at action by the new Congress to remove long-term planning from transportation funding. The current transportation bill – which is due to expire in March – authorizes $50 billion to transportation infrastructure, but the Highway Trust Fund (gas taxes) only brings in $35 billion. Congress has been making up for the difference with money from the general fund, but the new GOP-led congress – with their emphasis on cutting spending – voted to limit spending from the gas tax.

There’s a lot of talk about California high-speed rail, but what does it actually feel like to ride a super fast train? TreeHugger provides some videos of a high-speed rail line in China that travels from Guangzhou and Wuha – a distance of 620 miles – in three hours. What’s it like going over 200 miles per hour on the ground? These videos show that it’s actually a pretty smooth and quiet ride.

And finally, a Friday gross out and chance to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. A video of a (rather large) rat climbing on a sleeping passenger’s face in a New York City subway car has gone viral. There is speculation that it may have been staged, but anyone familiar with the NYC subway knows that rats – at least in the stations – are a very real phenomenon.